Common questions
Answers to your questions
Choosing a financial advisor is an important decision, and it's natural to have questions. Here are answers to some of the things people commonly ask about working together.
Is Eudaimonia Wealth right for me?
I typically work with individuals and couples approaching or already in retirement who have at least $1 million in savings and investments. Most have done a good job saving and want help turning those savings into income while making smart decisions about taxes, investments, Social Security, Medicare, and their estate.
Saving and spending are different challenges. Once you retire, decisions around withdrawals, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and investments start affecting one another. My role is to help you coordinate those decisions and build a plan for turning your savings into income.
A Western New York family within about five years of retirement or already retired, typically with $1 million or more in savings and investments, and most of it sitting in a 401(k) or rollover IRA. They did the saving well. They want help turning it into income without handing an unnecessary share to the IRS.
Eudaimonia Wealth is a small, independent firm, which means you'll work directly with me. I intentionally keep the number of families I serve manageable so I can provide personalized advice, be accessible when questions come up, and develop meaningful relationships with my clients over time.
How you work
Yes. I’m a fee-only CFP® professional and fiduciary. I don’t receive commissions for recommending investments or financial products.
The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation is one of the most recognized credentials in financial planning. Earning it requires extensive education, a comprehensive examination, relevant professional experience, and adherence to rigorous ethical standards.
As a CFP® professional, I'm committed to providing advice that considers your entire financial picture and acting in your best interest.
Absolutely. I believe the best financial planning happens when your advisors are working together. I regularly coordinate with clients' accountants and estate planning attorneys to help ensure that our recommendations are aligned and properly implemented. If you don't already have these professionals in place, I'm happy to help you find a proper fit.
Not necessarily, though many clients like to. My office is on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, and I meet virtually just as often. Sticking to Western New York families is a choice I made on purpose.
Your money and your safety
At Charles Schwab, in accounts registered in your name. I never take custody of client assets. Schwab holds the money, sends your statements, and reports to the IRS. I manage the accounts and deduct the agreed fee, and you can view every position and transaction directly at Schwab whenever you want.
A fair question to ask a solo advisor, and one you should ask any of us. I maintain a written business continuity plan with another registered advisory firm, so another advisor picks up your accounts and your plan the same week. I will walk you through the details before you sign anything.
Fees
As a fee-only advisor, I only get paid by you, never through commissions or product sales. I sell no insurance and no investment products, and I take no referral payments or third-party incentives. The fee ranges from 0.50% to 1.20% of assets under management, with a minimum annual fee of $12,000, and the percentage falls as the assets grow.
The fee covers all of my services: proactive tax planning, investment management, coordinated withdrawal strategies, ongoing adjustments, the many little conversations in between, and on-demand decision-making when life happens. It also covers Social Security and Medicare timing, and the estate and beneficiary work alongside your attorney. There is no separate planning charge and no per-meeting billing.
Our ongoing and proactive service process is typically best suited for those with at least $1 million in savings and investments, excluding real estate. It's not a hard and fast rule, and some exceptions may apply.
Potentially. Our minimum annual fee is $12,000, but the exact amount depends on the scope and complexity of your financial situation. In some circumstances, we may instead mutually agree on a fixed annual retainer that is fair to both sides. Regardless of the structure, I encourage clients to focus on the total dollar amount they are paying relative to the value they receive.
Generally, yes. My approach combines financial planning and investment management, and I believe the two work best when they're coordinated.
Having oversight of your investments allows me to implement withdrawal strategies, manage taxes, and make adjustments as your circumstances change.
There may be exceptions depending on your situation, which we can discuss as part of our initial conversations.
I believe the value of financial advice should extend well beyond investment performance.
For my clients, that includes proactive tax planning, thoughtful retirement income strategies, and having someone to help navigate important financial decisions as life changes.
Some of that value can be measured in dollars, through tax savings, avoiding costly mistakes, and making more informed decisions. Other benefits are harder to quantify, like greater confidence, peace of mind, and more time to focus on what matters most.
Ultimately, I want clients to feel that the guidance, service, and ongoing relationship are well worth the cost.
Getting started
No. The first conversation is a 30-minute call at no cost, and there is no obligation attached to it. If I am not the right fit, I will tell you and point you toward someone who is.
No documents and no homework, but do bring a rough idea of what you own: the kinds of accounts you have and roughly how much is in each. Round numbers are fine. The call itself is a conversation about your situation and what you are trying to sort out. If we go further there will be real paperwork later, and I will tell you exactly what to gather.
Eudaimonia, pronounced you-day-MOH-nia, is a Greek term for human flourishing. It describes a life of meaning and purpose, which I believe can be achieved by aligning your money with what you value most.
Start with a conversation.
The first step is a 30-minute phone call. Tell me what’s on your mind and what you’re hoping to accomplish, and we’ll see if working together makes sense. No preparation required.